NHL.com: Preds need more offense in 2010-11

NHL.com: Preds need more offense in 2010-11The Nashville Predators played a disciplined game in 2009-10. Now, their forwards must find a way to create more offense to help the likes of Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne.

The Nashville Predators played a disciplined game in 2009-10. Now, their forwards must find a way to create more offense to help the likes of Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne.

Advantage Margin: +28
No team was more disciplined at home than the Predators, who earned 141 power plays at home while allowing a League-low 113. On the road, Nashville had 145 advantages and allowed the same number.

Special Teams Goal Margin: -13
The Predators reached the 100-point mark for the first time in franchise history despite a poor showing by their special teams. The power play was just 24th and scored only 41 times, while the penalty-killers were 28th and surrendered 59 goals on only 258 attempts.

Goals by defensemen: 36
Nearly half of Nashville's production from the blue line came from new captain Shea Weber, who pumped home 16 goals. No other returning defenseman scored more than four times.

Category

Rank (Conference/NHL)

2009-10 Points

100 (7th West/10th NHL)

Change from 08-09

12

Home Points

51 (10th West/16th NHL)

Road Points

49 (4th West/5th NHL)

Overtime Record
Total: 14-2-4 • OT: 6-2 • SO: 8-4
The Preds were terrific in shootouts at home (6-2), while dominating in overtime on the road (5-1). Goaltender Pekka Rinne went 6-3 in shootouts while stopping 34 of 45 shots, a .756 save percentage.

Times Scored First: 35 • Record: 28-6-1
The Predators did do a good job converting first goals into wins (.800); they just didn't score first all that often -- especially at home, where they did it only 15 times, matching Toronto for the fewest in the League.

Best 09-10 Number: 18-7-5
Nashville's record in games tied after two periods. The Predators were by far the League leaders in winning games that were tied after 40 minutes (Washington was next with 14), and were also tops in games that were even entering the third period with 30.

Worst 09-10 Number: 5
Victories by the Predators in games decided by three or more goals, the fewest in the NHL. Nashville was just 5-10 in blowouts, though their total of 15 such games was also the lowest in the League.

Scheduling
The Predators are set up for a fast start, with five of their first six games at home. They play nine of 10 on the road from late October through late November, play their last six games in January away from home, but finish with 12 of their last 15 at Bridgestone Arena.